AX2229

Defining the file name for file processing

When you use file processing to create an output file (either a snapshot or an export file), you must specify how the file name is determined. This setting is called Output File Name in the File Processing pane.

The file name setting cannot be left blank. You must use file processing variables to dynamically generate file names, or type a "hard-coded" file name.

How you define the file name primarily depends on whether you plan to use multipass processing on the file, and whether the multipass output is to a single file or multiple files.

NOTE: This discussion does not apply to file collect processing, because the output file settings for file collect are defined on the special File Collect Configuration sheet. For more information, see File Collect Configuration sheet.

File names for standard processing

If the file will be primarily processed using standard (non-multipass) processing, then you can type the desired file name, without using any file processing variables. When you process the file, the output file will use the specified file name. Formulas can also be used to create file names.

By default, the file name is set to [Current_Value]_Report. If you never plan to process this file using multipass processing, then you can delete the default text and enter the desired file name, such as: Income_Statement.

If you leave the [Current_Value] variable in the file name, then it will return nothing during standard processing unless you have: 1) configured multipass settings for the file, and 2) defined a default current value for the source column on the File Processing Control Sheet.

File names for multipass processing

If the file will be primarily processed using multipass processing, then how you define the file name depends on whether you are outputting to a single file or multiple files (the File Generation setting).

• If you are outputting to a single file, you can use the [Current_Value] variable, or you can type the desired file name, such as Income_Statement_by_VP. Formulas can also be used to create file names.

  If you use the [Current_Value] variable, make sure to define a default current value for the multipass source column on the File Processing Control Sheet. In this context, the [Current_Value] variable returns the default value. If no default value is defined, the variable will return nothing.

• If you are outputting to multiple files, then the file name for each pass must be unique, so that you can tell which file is associated with each pass. You can use the [Current_Value] variable, or you can use formulas and the GetCurrentValue function to create a file name.

  For example, if the file name is set to Income_Statement_[Current_Value] then each pass will create file names such as Income_Statement_Jones.xlsx, Income_Statement_Smith.xlsx, etc.